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MISSIONARY FANATICISM ! 


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‘CHRISTIAN ZEAL. ~ 


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Delivered in St. John’s Church, Brooklyn, Febriany 24th, 1829, the Festival of ~. : | 
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St. Matthidsyy ,° 
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WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES! (! 9 & \. 
iia Tee CMe RU REE g 
By EVAN M. JOHNSON, Recter. 
Published at the request of the Missionary Comittee of\said Church. The profits to, he 
given to Bishop Chase’s Collegs? in Hlinois, ca 


SECOND EDITION. wen will ahs ite 








The author of this Discourse has expresséd his 
opinion freely of measures. It will be obvious to the 
reader that he was compelled, in tracing the origin 
of this foreign missionary spirit in the Church to 
which he belongs, to speak of other denominations, 
in which it sprang up in this country; otherwise he 
would not have done this. However unfortunate he 
may be in differing from others in opinion, as to these 
matters of expediency, or as to the order and un- 
changeableness of the Church and its Ministry, he 
still is most happy to say, that he numbers among 
those he esteems as his friends, and as most estimable 
and pious persons, many, very many, who think en- 
tirely different from him. E. M. J. 











DISCOURSE, &c. 


Isaran, Chapter v., part of the 18th with the 19th verse. 


“Wo UNTO THEM * * * * *.* THAT SAY, LET HIM MAKE SPEED AND HASTEN 
HIS WORK, THAT WE MAY SEE IT: AND LET THE COUNSEL OF THE Hoty ONE oF 
ISRAEL DRAW NIGH AND COME, THAT WE MAY KNow IT.” 


Ir has been judiciously said by an historical writer, that « they who 
skilfully administer to public prejudices, become, in time, masters of the 
people.” This truth was strikingly illustrated by the history of the 
Crusaders. The land of Judea had been subjugated by the Mohammed- 
ans; the place of our Saviour’s birth—the city of Jerusalem and its 
environs—the localities consecrated by his death, his burial, his resur- 
rection and his ascension—were in the possession of Turks and Infidels. 


It was with difficulty that the pious and devout Christian obtained ac-’ 


cess to those hallowed spots., Soon, it began to be taught by the clergy, 
that the days of the captivity of Jerusalem were nearly accomplished, — 
that the prophecies had «“ distinctly marked the age of the beast, the 
Mohammedan heresy, six hundred and sixty years ;”—it was therefore 
thought to be time for action, as the Lord always brought about the 


2 


fulfilment of prophecy through direct human agency. Pope Urban, in 
the eleventh century, assembled the Council of Clermont, to take meas- 
ures to reclaim the Holy Land, and thus to fulfil the divine predictions. 
His whole address to the great collection of Bishops, Dignitanies, and 
Nobles, is remarkable for its energy, and for the great apparent sincerity 
with which it evidently was delivered. In order to excite the missionary 
spirit, he says to those who were willing to embark in the undertaking 
to rescue the Holy Land: “You will be extolled through all ages, if you 
“rescue your brethren from danger; to those present, in God’s name I 
“eommand this; tothe absent, I enjoinit. Let such as are going to fight 
“for Christianity, put the form of the cross upon their garments, that 
“they may outwardly demonstrate the love arising from their 1n- 
“ward faith. Do not fear death—human wickedness can devise nothing 
“against you worthy to be put in competition with heavenly glory,—let 
“no love of relations detain you, for man’s chiefest love is towards God ,— 
“Jet no attachment to your native soil be an impediment,—those who 
“ may die, will enter the mansions of heaven.” (a) ‘The great assembly 
cried out, “Deus vult,”—they knelt, and Cardinal Gregory, in their 
behalf, made a general confession of sin, and they received the Holy 
Father’s benediction. 

The excitement thus enkindled, spread like an electric shock through 
Christendom,—thousands upon thousands hastened to join the standard, 
The first expedition set forward, and ended in disastrous defeat. After 
some years, another mighty effort was made, and then another, and 
another. St. Bernard, a most eloquent and pious man, said that it was 
“gin and unbelief that was the cause of failure.” Says he to an assem- 
bled multitude: “You may subdue all the kingdoms of Europe, but 
“vain are the conquests of ambition, if you trust not in the promises and 
“ obey not the commands of God.” Now again Christendom is aroused. 
Nobles sell and mortgage their estates to raise money ; the Clergy and 
the people volunteer as warriors ; females contribute largely of their 
means, and in many instances neglect even their own offspring to go 
and render personal aid to this mighty effort; even children formed soct- 
eties, and enlisted as soldiers, and were furnished with ships to carry 
them to the Holy Land. In the year 1213, boys and girls stole from 
home to go to Jerusalem ; two vessels laden with them were wrecked on 
the Isle of St. Peter; the rest of the ships went to Bergia and Alexan- 
dria, and the master sold the children into slavery. 

Here indeed “the spirit of the age” fully developed itself. The 
varied results of these attempts made from time to time, you may read 
for yourselves. ‘here were some distinguished divines, and others, who 
were not carried away by this ranaricism. Gregory, Bishop of Nice, 
declared that the Crusades “ were not religious observances.” After 
him Jerome condemned them as highly injurious to the cause of religion. 
Both thought it criminal in Christians to neglect their duties to the 
Church, to their families, and to their country, to embark in such vision- 
ary projects. They were condemned and denounced as opposing the 
work of God—they were no doubt considered to be far behind “the spirit 
of the ages” and not until the delusion passed away, were those found, 
who did justice to their opinions. Jt was in vain that, during their lives, 
they strove against delusion, for “ those who had skilfully administered 


(a) If any one will read the addresses made by this Pope, and others of his day, 
they will find them to be models of this kind of declamation. We think that little 
improvement has been made by modern imitators. 


3 


to public prejudice had become masters of the people.” We must allow 
that those who encouraged, and those who engaged in these Crusades, 
were persons of great sincerity of purpose, of great zeal, of great disin- 
terestedness, of great faith in what they believed to be the promises of 
God ; of great self-devotedness, and of great perseverance. Yet, for all 
this, they were deluded fanatics; they desired to know “times and 
seasons,” in fulfilment of prophecy; they virtually said to the Lord, 
‘““make speed and hasten” the restoration of the Holy Land, “that we 
may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and 
come, that we may know it.” ‘They were dissatisfied with the divine 
appointment, that the Turks should be in possession of the Holy Land, 
and they were determined, if possible, effectually to drive them from it. 

My hearers, a spirit of like kind most extensively prevails in this age, 
and especially in this country. It bas in view a different end. It aims 
at the present and immediate conversion of the world to Christianity.(b) 
ft is conceded on all hands that the Scriptures, the revealed will of the 
Almighty, teach us that the time will come, when the blessings of the 
Gospel of Christ shall be diffused among all nations. It is most certain 
that, as yet, these have been extended to but a very small portion of the 
great human family. The disposition which now prevails is, to ‘hasten 
the time;’ to, indirectly, blame the Almighty for not bringing it about 
sooner, I fear that the woe denounced in our text is deserved by this 
generation. “Wo unto them that say, let him make speed and hasten 
‘his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of 
“Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it.” 

Some of the Jews, during their captivity, had this complaining tem- 
per; finding fault with the Almighty because he did not shorten the 
period of their captivity, and restore them speedily to their own land. 

There is, and for some years past has been, among us, an increasing 
uneasiness at, and dissatisfaction with, the divine procedure. Many 
cannot seem to be reconciled to the idea, that God should permit whole 
nations to be ignorant of his Son; and they seem determined, that at 
this very time, the prophecy shall be fulfilled, that the Son shall “have 
“the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for 
“his possession.” They imagine that they are the very individuals 
whom God has raised up to accomplish his purpose, and that those who 
doubt this, and withhold their countenance and contributions, are oppo- 
nents of his work. 

I ask your attention to consider the origin of this very prevalent sen- 
timent. About the commencement of the present century, in conse- 
quence of the general convulsion among nations, and the prevalence of 
devastating wars, and the overturning of long established governments 
and institutions, many pious, good and learned men, having devoted their 
time and attention to the study of the Prophecies, became convinced that 
“the set time” for the extension of Christ’s kingdom had come. Some 
very learned and many popular expositions of prophecy were extensively 
circulated, to. prove, that from these signs, it was evident that the Mil- 
lenial age of the Church was near. Some thought they had arrived at 
mathematical accuracy, and foretold the very year when “the day ” 
should be accomplished, and when Satan should be chained. This pry- 
ing into futurity, has ever been a popular desire; and we believe, that 
at the present day, there exists generally, a sort of undefined notion that 





(6) The American Bible Society made a pledge, a few years ago, that every 
family in the world should have a Bible within a given time. 


4 


the Millenium is near. Many actually believe that Christ will soon 
come to reign on earth. (c.) 

About the same time, the British Government had permanently estab- 
lished its authority among the nations of the East. As their moral 
darkness become known in England, the desire to enlighten that dark- 
ness became prevalent; to increase this truly Christian spirit, and to 
procure means, where means so abundantly existed, to afford moral cul- 
ture, where civil power had triumphed, it was necessary to address most 
stirring appeals to British Christians to awaken them to discharge this 
duty, which was so evidently pointed out in the providence of God. 

These sermons and addresses were soon extensively circulated in 
this country. Presently a few young men, in a Seminary established 
by the Independents of New-England, for Theological Education, 
formed themselves into an association, and avowed their determination, 
in obedience to the call of God, to devote themselves to the cause of 
missions among the heathen. They appealed earnestly to their elder 
Brethren, ‘The time was favorable. ‘The idea of the approach of the 
Millenium, very general. Much was doing in England for the heathen 
in India. The spirit diffused itself with rapidity through the country. 
It was in vain that any Gregory or Jerome attempted to check its pro- 
gress. A Board of Commissioners was formed, composed of the 
most distinguished ministers and members of this sect, selected from 
every quarter of our country ; committees were appointed to levy con- 
tributions in their congregations, and large sums were immediately 
raised, to carry into effect at once, this great object; other smaller 
sects, mingled as they are in this community with this greater sect, set 
forth in this enterprise. ‘The Anabaptists, though as a sect never be- 
fore distinguished for their literature, thought they were especially 
called to attend to the work of translating the Scriptures. (d) And last 
of all, members of the Church were carried away with the surrounding 
fanaticism. 

It began to be taught among us, that it was highly disgraceful that 
the Episcopal Church of the United States had not a solitary missionary 
on heathen ground. ‘T'o wipe out this foul stigma, missionaries have 
since been sent, at great expense, to China, and one on an exploring tour 
among the Turks, in Persia, from which he has just returned. (e) 
Since the beginning of this excitement, the great American Bible So- 





(c) We infer that some in high standing, even in our own Church, do not con- 
sider this a delusion, because Wolff, the open and avowed advocate of this senti- 
ment, was lately ordained by one of our Bishops, at the solicitation of the Professor 
of Ecclesiastical History in our Theological Seminary. 


(d) It was not foreseen by all of those who assented to this arrangement, that 
the Anabaptists would, in translating the Bible into foreign languages, introduce 
their peculiar views as to the manner of baptizing, by substituting for the word 
“baptize,” that word, in the language into which they pretended to translate the 
word of God, which means “immerse.” Thus, most of the foreign translations prove 
to be Anabaptist Bibles, and now, at the very commencement of the missionary 
work among these nations, the controversy thus excited about the correctness of the 
eth de is agitated, and must be settled. This surely is no part of the work of 
God. 


{e) Ido not consider the mission to Africa as a foreign mission. It is manifestly 
our duty, if we induce the colored people to go there, from hence, to send with 
them the Christian ministry and the sacraments of the Church, 


5 


ciety,(f) and the American Tract Society, and innumerable other 
Societies, have contributed directly of their funds, and all indirectly of 
their influence, to sustain these operations and to control public senti- 
ment; and now it is a general and received article of faith, that this is 
the day for the conversion of the heathen, and that those who think 
otherwise and withhold their contributions and aid, are not entitled to 
the name of Christians. ‘Those who hesitate are said to be “ignorant 
of the Scriptures,” “to be destitute of the Spirit,” and to have “cold 
hearts.” Ido not doubt, my hearers, the same was said of those holy 
men, who in vain strove to check the fanaticism of the Crusaders, when 
they appealed to the “signs of the times,” to prophecy, to Scriptures, 
and acted, moreover, with the approbation of the then visible head of the 
Church. 

The fact is, that, during the last year, some hundreds of thousands of 
dollars have been raised by charitable contributions, and expended in 
sending persons called missionaries, (g) to various parts of India, China, 
Persia, Arabia, &c., from these United States of North America; 
that the Christian public have been taught, and believe, that it is their 
duty to send these individuals, without regard to expense; that those 
who differ from this opinion are indifferent to the cause of Christ’s gos- 
pel; and those Christians and congregations are said to have the most 
piety and zeal, who contribute most money thus to send the Gospel to 
the heathen of distant lands. We find lists of contributions, and names 
of contributors, printed and published with, I fear, too much ostentation. 

By missionary fanaticism, I mean—the spirit that excites to all this— 
that leads any of those who call themselves Christians, here, in this 
comparatively remote part of the world—in North America, to think 
that, at this time, God calls them to go, or to send others, to the most 
distant quarters of the globe, to preach the Gospel among the heathen. 
Well aware of the pride and prejudice by which this fanaticism is sus- 
tained—well aware of the odium which those who are carried away with 
it attach to those who will presume to doubt—I shall attempt to show why, 
in my opinion, this is not the Lord’s work; but rather, that it is the 
work of man’s folly. To use the popular language of the day, I feel as 
if I had a special charge to bear my testimony against this delusion,— 
to strive to convince others, that they are distrusting the providence of 
God, and sinning against him, by throwing away their gifts and graces 
on visionary experiments; and though I do not expect sectaries will hear 


(f) Perhaps there never has been a more signal failure in the accomplishment 
of its designs, than the American Bisie Society. It promised to promote 
harmony among sects; look at the controversy with the Anabaptists, which has 
arisen in that institution; look at the controversy which now rages between the 
two parties of the most numerous sect composing it. It promised to reduce the 
price of the Bible, Bibles are sold by individuals as cheap, if not cheaper, than 
by that Society; it distributes few, very few Bibles gratuitously, and is sustained 
at an immense expense in payment for rents, and to Agents, Contractors, and 
dependents. 


(g) It is commonly understood that, by a “ missionary,” one is meant who 
preaches the Gospel. There is a deception practised in the use of this term, If 
any one will take the pains to look at the Reports of these foreign laborers in the 
annual statement of the Foreign Board of Commissioners, he will find the far 
greater proportion of them are only school teachers ; and some tell us they dare 
not so much as mention religion at all. Of those sent to Greece or China by our 
Church, it is not believed that a single one is a missionary in its literal sense, 
They are all school teachers, 


6 


or listen to what I say, I do hope, that some of those in our Church whe 
have been deluded, and who are carried away with the “spirit of the 
age ’—who are throwing in the weight of their talents and character to 
sustain this popular error, may be led to think, more prayerfully, seri- 
ously, and impartially, and to see if they are not laboring for nought, and 
spending their strength in vain. ' 

Lest any, at this stage of our discourse, should turn away and say— 
the preacher is opposed to missions; he must be wrong; and in this 
wholesale manner condemn all that may be said, let me most distinetly 
say, it is untrue that, Jam an enemy to missions. I am, in faet, and 
for years have been, myself, a home missionary; and I hope to spend 
and be spent in this cause of preaching the Gospel, and ministering, 
especially to the poor, destitute, and ignorant. I receive my reward as 
I go onward—that best of all rewards, the approbation of my own con- 
science. God forbid that [should say one word to discourage a proper 
Christian zeal, directed to any object which Christian prudence or 
common sense commend. It is because I conceive that this spirit 
which has been excited in this country,—of sending persons to far dis- 
tant and heathen lands, to effect the immediate conversion of the inhab- 
itants,—had its origin and finds its support in the erroneous opinion 
of man, and notin the will ofa holy and righteous God, that I attempt, 
without fear or favor, to stale my objections to the whole movement. 

I do not believe that those in this country who encourage this foreign 
missionary spirit, as it is called, are engaged in the Lord’s work; be- 
cause to do this, they pervert Scripture. The petition in the Lord’s 
prayer, “thy kingdom come,” is often quoted in support of these mea- 
sures. While it is, undoubtedly, the duty of all Christians to pray that 
the kingdom of God may come, yet, it is to come, according to the will 
of God; “thy will be done.” ‘this kind of supplication, ean only be 
used, the more to fit us for the service of God, and to make us more 
willing and able to do our duty, and more worthy of his aid—than it 
is to alter, or to interfere with, or to change the course of his Providence ; 
as a general petition, we use it, and not as applied to any particular 
future event. ‘To illustrate this:—It is the will of God, that all men 
should be saved, and that every one to whom Christ is revealed, should 
repent and believe the Gospel; and we ought to pray that this may be. 
But who does not see a great difference between such general supplica- 
tion, and that very particular supplieation made by enthusiasts, in 
which they call on God to grant this prayer, then, at that time, in 
behalf of some individual then present in the congregation ? This is 
common among some sects, and they are as much justified in this 
practice, as those are who select out this particular event, which 
all believe that God will at some time accomplish, and then in say- 
ing “thy kingdom come,” think that he will effect it now, in this 
our day, because they pray for it. 

Because our Saviour, 72 a parable, uses this expression, “ the field 
is the world ;” this text has been abused, to inculcate the doctrine, that 
the whole world is the field in which Christian ministers are now to 
labor. If rightly applied, the allusion is most happy. The world is 
the field. This extensive field calls for, and requires, in its various 
subdivisions, many and devoted laborers; but laborers are not to leave 
the harvest when it is ripe and ready to be gathered—to go and sow 
seed where the ground is not even tilled. 

But it is said, did not our Saviour say to his Apostles, “Go. ye into 


vi 


all thé world, and preach the Gospel to every creature 2” He said this, 
and he said it to the Apostles, and he gave them power to do this, and 
sustained them by his miraculous grace. Is it not obvious, there is a 
great difference as to the means to be used at the first propagation 
of this relivion, and for its extension in after ages, when the mirac- 
ulous powers given to the Apostles had been withcrawn? It is con- 
trary to all sound rules of interpretation, to consider what was ad- 
dressed personally to the Apostles, particularly in regard to their 
immediate duty in propagating the Gospel, as addressed, through 
them, to every minister of the Gospel to the end of time. This isa 
very common abuse of Scripture. Let us try it in another case. 
Says our Saviour to his Apostles, “these signs shall follow them 
“that believe; in my name they shall cast out devils, and shall speak 
‘“with tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any 
“deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the 
“sick, and they shall recover.” Those who have believed that this 
promise was to all believers to the end of time, and have acted ac- 
cordingly,(h) have as good ground for their belief, as those who say 
that this especial command given by our Saviour to his Apostles, for 
a special purpose, is obligatory on Christian ministers now. If it be 
moreover strictly so—then, every minister who remains in one place 
to preach his Gospel, is violating this command. Again, says our Sa- 
viour to the seventy, “ Behold I give unto you power to tread on ser- 
“pents and scorpions.” Can any one suppose that Christians can han- 
dle serpents at this day, and not be harmed ? 

I know what a prodigious effect has been produced by the frequent 
repetition of these, and a few of such like texts of Scripture, and by 
pleading the binding authority of the charge given to the Apostles. All 
I wish is, that Christians would calmly consider these passages, and 
some others, which I have not time to mention, and see whether they 
can truly and legitimately be brought to sustain the sentiment for which 
they are and have been so often quoted,—that it is the duty of Chris- 
tians, now, to go from this country to the most distant part of the globe, 
to effect the conversion of the heathen. Ido not believe that those in 
this country who encourage this foreign missionary spirit, are engaged 
in the Lord’s work, because it is also stimulated by a false view of the 
condition of the heathen in the sight of God. If we look at the speeches 
before the Foreign Missionary Societies, and their Reports, we find that. 
most generally, the heathen are stated to be going down, generation after 
generation, to endless misery. It is no where in Scripture told us that 
the heathen are all finally lost; indeed the contrary is taught us, in 
these and other passages: “ That the Gentiles which have not the law, 
“ ‘are alaw’ unto themselves.”’ That “God is nota hard master, reap- 
“ing where he has not sown.” We are, from a general view of Scrip- 
ture, taught that the whole race of man, since the fall, is in a very dif- 
ferent state from what it would have been, bad not Christ offered himself 
to God for them. ‘Those then, who awaken Christian sensibiliiy and 
sympathy, by bringing forward most prominently this doctrine, that all 
the heathen are damned, assert what the word of God does not warrant, 


(h) The Irvingites and others. 


8 


and therefore use means which God cannot approve to carry on his 
work. (7) 

I do not believe this foreign missionary spirit to be of God, because 
it may safely be ‘affirmed, that God never calls any to neglect some 
duties to discharge others. Look for illustration of this to New- 
England. I select this part of our country, because it is generally re- 
puted by its own inhabitants, to be more enlightened, more religious, and 
more intelligent than any other portion. It can be most abundantly 
proved, by documents put forth in the form of reports of associations, 
by printed public statements, which have been uncontradicted, and 
from other sources, that during the last thirty years there, the common 
schools have been neglected, and of course, have fallen off rather than 
improved—the colleges have remained, to a great degree, stationary— 
the religious societies have become more and more distracted and di- 
vided—the persons acting as their teachers have been changed and dis- 
missed, until there can hardly be said to be any thing like a setiled min- 
istry—the Sabbath, so called by them, has become awfully desecrated— 
intemperance fearfully prevalent. The religious societies called 
Churches, havé, it is by general consent admitted, signally failed to 
resist the torrent of irreligion and vice. It has been necessary to estab- 
lish other societies to do the work for them, and these seem also to 
fail. (k) very sort of heresy prevails abundantly, from that which 
denies our Lord’s divinity, to that which denies our future existence 
and accountability.. Schism upon schism, and sect upon sect, have 
started up, each one claiming to have made new discoveries in doctrines 
and relivion. It is indisputably true, that this is so; that during the 
last thirty years, the cause of religion and public morals has most 
awfully retrograded even in New-England. How could all this have 
been, if those who call themselves Christians, and especially Christian 
teachers, had faithfully done their duty at home ? 

During this very period, while religion was thus declining among 
them, the time and talents of their most influential men have been de- 
voted to exciting and keeping up this foreign missionary spirit, and 
some two or three millions of dollars have been sent to India, and 
China, and Persia, and Greece, to support foreign missionaries, sent 
from where their exertions were so much wanted to restrain immoral- 
ity, irreligion, and vice, to where they have been of so little use. (/) 


. a 


(z) So general had become the idea that all the heathen are damned, that when 
the Editor of the Churchman lately advanced the contrary doctrine, he was de- 
nounced and condemned as a heretic, and even displaced from his station as a Pro- 
fessor in our Seminary. I have in vain looked for a defence of the contrary doc- 
trine. No one has dared to assert that all the heathen are damned. Some of those 
who were in such haste to condemn the author of the tract entitled “‘ The Salva- 
bility of the Heathen,” have (to their credit be it said) done him and his opinions 
justice, by re-appointing him to his Professorship. 


_(k) On this subject, see an able article by Dr. Hewitt, in a late number of the 
Literary and Theological Review. 


(1) From the Twenty-ninth Annual Report of the Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions for the year 1838, we learn that their annual income for that year was 
$236,170; .for the year before, $251,000. The number of ordained missionaries 
in al! parts of the globe, including those among the Indians of America, is 126. 
The whole number of Church members at all the stations, after deducting those 
paid for being there, is about 2000. Let it be remembered that this work has been 
thirty years in progress, at this very great annual cost, and we are compelled to 


9 


What is thus true in all these respects of New-England, is true to al- 
most as great an extent throughout the whole country, especially in 
those most extensive districts settled by emigrants from thence or their 
descendants. Here then, it is evident, duty at home has been neglect- 
ed, while this other supposed duty has been most industriously dis- 
charged. Further, general reasons, if others were wanting, exist to 
prove that it cannot be possible, this is the Lord’s work. There are 
other special considerations which are conclusive to the preacher—that 
these foreign missionary operations are not of divine origin. 

The universal or Catholic Church of Christ, as it at present exists in 
the world, is divided into three great branches: ‘The Greek Church, the 
Roman Church, and the Anglo-Catholic Church. 

Although it has pleased the Almighty to permit a temporary es- 
trangement as to outward communion to prevail between them, yet 
they do in reality, substantially agree in essentials; they all believe in 
the authority of the Sacred Scriptures; they all believe that the Church 
is the ‘pillar and ground of the truth ;’ that its ministry is of divine in- 
stitution, and has existed from the Apostles’ days, in three orders; they 
all receive for truth the doctrines of the Apostles, Nicene and Athana- 
sian Creeds, and acknowledge the authority of the four first councils ; 
they all believe in the necessity of sanctification for salvation. They 
all look to the same Saviour for redemption, and the same Spirit for 





say, that almost nothing has been done. Will any one say that this great amount 
of money could not have been appropriated in a manner to have produced far dif- 
ferent results, in dispensing education and Christianity in our own country? This 
statement includes the missions at the Sandwich Islands, of the success of which 
we have heard so much. If the descendants of the Salem Puritans have carried 
there their religion, they have also carried there their intolerance and spirit of perse- 
cution. lt seems there are some persons of the Romish persuasion residing on these 
islands. A clergyman was sent by the Church for their religious instruction, In 
the Report for 1838, we find the following :— 


“ FIINDRANCES TO THE WorK. There appears to be a disposition on the part of a 
‘portion of the Romish Church, to interfere with our operations at the Sandwich 
‘Islands ; or, rather, there has been a decided and persevering influence exerted by 
‘*a portion of the foreign residents at Honolulu, to introduce an opposing mission to 
‘*the one already in the field, reckless of the consequences to the people and govern- 
“ment. Tlre Romish priests, who were banished from the islands some years 
“since by order of the government, returned to Honolulu in a British vessel in 
“the spring of last year, and were ordered by the acting Governor of Oahu, to 
“leave the islands in the same vessel in which they came, but refused to do so. 
‘On the facts being reported by the Governor to the King, who was then at Maui, 
“the order to depart was confirmed, and the priests were taken by the government 
“ on board the vessel. The owner of the ship, on being compelled to receive them, 
“went on shore with his crew, carrying the flag with him, which he presented to 
“ Mr. Charlton, the British Consul, who burned it in the streets. The arrival of 
‘4 British, and also a French ship of war, while this matter was pending, and the 
‘interference of their commanders, is understood to have nearly overpowered the 
resolution of the government in the legitimate exercise of its powers in relation 
“to fo eigners. The King, however, remained firm, and the priests some time 
“after left the islands.” 


This was instigated and promoted by these missionaries, and is a repetition of 
the expulsion of the Quakers from Salem. From this intolerance, and from the 
introduction of fanatical practices, which here have proved ruinous, such as female 
prayer meetings and got up revivals, it is not probable that there, any permanent 
good will be effected by this sectarian effort. 


10 


sanctification. There is also agreement as to their outward worship: 
for in each, liturgical worship only is used.(m) To this Church Christ 
has said, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it;” though its 
brightness may be obscured, yet its sun will never set in darkness. 
To this Church are his promises made, that it shall be the “joy of the 
whole earth,” “all nations shall flock unto it.’ Since the days of the 
Apostles, from time to time errorists and schismatics have departed 
from its unity, resisted the lawful authority of its Priesthood, and un- 
dervalued the efficacy of itssacraments. ‘Ihousands of these have had 
their day, and passed away. ‘Thousands exist at the present time, and 
like them, will pass away and be no more seen. But this great Church, 
thus extending its branches over Christendom, remains unaffected by 
these novelties and speculations of schismatics. We believe the Al- 
mighty will, through this Church, accomplish his designs of extending 
its blessings. He will not use those as his instruments, who have re- 
jected the authority and renounced communion with his Church, and 
are thus living in open rebellion against him. 

I will illustrate this idea by an example. The Independents, or Con- 
gregationalists, or Presbyterians, (by which names they are called 
indifferently,) and the Anabaplists, or, (as they are now called,) the 
Baptists, of these United States, both or all of them, sects of modern 
origin, having openly rejected the authority of the Church, which was 
originally established in England, (the land of most of our ancestors,) 
in the Apostolic day, and set up new societies of their own, by them 
called Churches, are sending missionaries, money, and books, to the 
most distant quarters of the earth among heathen, to spread— What ? 
not the Church, but what they call the Church ; not the society which 
Christ established on earth, whose ministers he commissioned, and 
with whom he promised to be “ unto the end of the world”—but a sect, 
which indeed believe some of the articles of his faith, and reject others, 
just as they please. 

It seems most reasonable to believe, that when the time comes, that 
God will bring to the knowledge of the truth, the millions of heathen 
in India and China; he will do it by means of his Church, rather than 
through the schismatical sects, originating and existing in the United 
States, or elsewhere. ; 

This accounts for the want of success which we have already noticed, 
though more than three millions of money have been spent in this 
undertaking. I have not time to allude to the absurdity of the atlempts 
making by these sectaries to convert members of the Greek and Ro- 
man Church, to their either heretical or schismatical opinions.(n.) 


(m) We should hail it as one of the most auspicious signs of the times, if great 
and good men, in each of these great branches of Christ's Church, would strive more 
earnestly to find out in what points they agree, rather than in what they differ. 
We think we see an opening to a reconciliation between the Greek and English 
Churches ; and may we not hope, that when questions purely of a political char- 
acter shall have been separated from those of a religious, that the way will he 
opened for ‘‘an armistice,” if not a reconciliation, between the English Church 
and its branches and the Roman obedience ? 


(n) A Society has within a short time been formed in the city of New-York, by 
Presbyterians, to convert the members of the French Church to their ‘ evangelical 
religion.” It was publicly announced lately, that a sermon would be preached 
and a collection made, “in the Brick Church,” to support its Agent. There has 
been for a long time great solicitude felt by this sect, for the members of the 


11 


The foreign missionary operations of the Episcopal Church in these 
United States, are of two kinds: Those which are designed to reform 
the members of other Christian Churches, and those designed to con- 
vert the heathen of foreign lands to Christianity. Such serious ob- 


Greek Church in the Holy Land. A considerable number of Presbyterian 
ministers are supported there, to convert them to evangelical piety. As a specimen 
of the surprise which some of these express in finding any of the Bishops of the 
Greek Church to possess either piety or information, I extract the following from 
the journal of Mr. Goodell :— “ Two important persons in the Armenian Church, 
died the past year; one was a bishop,‘eccentric, but apparently much enlightened. 
He had the Scriptures read to him by a priest some hours before he died, and 
seemed to enjoy it very much, exclaiming every now and then, “ Oh how sweet! 
oh how precious!” He also partook of the Lord’s Supper, having previously 
made confession of his sins to God. He had already confessed to a priest, accord- 
ing to the rules of the Church, but told the priest that he had no sort of confidence 
in his power of forgiving sins, and merely confessed to him because he wished to 
be obedient to his Church; but that now he was going directly to God with his 
confession, hoping there to obtain forgiveness. ‘Though he was not free from 
superstilion, we still indulge the hope! that he was, and ever will be, one of 
Christ’s own flock.” 

Another extract from that of Mr. Whiting: “The Greck bishop of Aleppo is 
here on a visit. This man is much enlightened, and he loves the light. Heis a 
man of much good sense and seriousness. I was charmed with the judicious, 
spiritual character of his conversation. He appears to have at heart, the spiritual 
good of his people and nation, and to be grieved by their late opposition to our 
missionaries. He bought a considerable quantity of school-books and Scriptures, 
and says, that on returning to his flock, he shall himself open and teach a small 
school of lads. We have had much interesting conversation with this man, and 
have been delighted and encouraged to find a BiIsHOP possessing so much good 
sense, and so much seriousness and zeal in the cause of truth and piety.” 

Wonderful! that Mr. Whiting, from New-England, should find one bishop of 
the Greek Church, who did not believe in the power of man to forgive sins! and 
another, who possessed piety and good sense! These extracts will convince every 
judicious person of the utter incapacity of men like these for the work in which 
they are engaged. J cannot but imagine myself listening to a dialogue somewhat 
of this kind, between this Mr. Whiting and the Bishop of Aleppo. After Mr. 
W. had stated the object of his mission, to convert the members of the Greek 
Church to “ evangelical piety,” the Bishop of Aleppo asks, “ From whence did 
you cone on this errand of mercy ?”’ 


Mr. Whiting. From Boston, in New-England, in North-America. 
Bishop. Surely you have come a great distance; and if you can teach us a 


“more excellent way ” than we have already, I will gladly listen to you. I sup- 
pose you have brought letters of commendation from your Bishop ? 


Mr. W. Why, I never saw a Bishop in my country. Some people there called 
Episcopalians, have Bishops; but we made the discovery that they were useless, 
and for about 200 years we have done without them. All our ministers are equal : 
we allow of no superiority. 


Bishop. Indeed! under whose authority then do you go forth? 
Mr. W. The ‘“‘ American Board of Commissioners,” composed of devout and 
pious men, who are mostly Congregationalists and Presbyterians. 


Bishop. What is the form of public worship which you propose to introduce 
among us? 3 


Mr. W. Why, we reject all forms, and depend on the Spirit to give us words and 
utterance in prayer. We think that forms, though they have been in use formerly, 
are calculated to quench the Spirit, and we have thrown them away. 

Bishop. As you have rejected the authority of Bishops, and the manner of cele- 
brating the worship of God according to the order of the primitive Church, I sup- 


12 


jections exist to either of these projects, that it cannot be, it is the 
Lord’s work, or that those who forward them are manifestly moved 
therein by the Holy Ghost. Suppose it to be our duty to strive to 
effect the conversion of the heathen, why go to those of China, or Per- 


pose you have made some new discoveries in Christian doctrine. Can you inform 
me on this point ? 

Mr. W. The founders of our Church did not think that the example of the 
primitive Church, or the Creeds which had before been received as symbols of 
faith, were sufficient; they thought they could make better themselves. Soa great 
number of godly men, in the time of the great revolution in England, met at West- 
minster, and made a Catechism, which contains the ‘‘substance of our faith.” 


Bishop. Am I to understand that those who receive this Catechism, of which I 
have before heard, are united in their views of either the order of the Church or 
the doctrines of the Gospel ? 


Mr. W. Why, indeed, I cannot say they are. Some think that the Presbyterian 
form of Church government is taught by it ; others think that Independency, where 
the Church members may make their own ministers, is allowable; and others think 
every one may suit themselves in this matter. As to faith, some receive this for 
substance of doctrine only; others think it must be understood literally, and so 
received. I am sorry to say there is among us much diversity of opinion on points 
of Christian doctrine, and no little dissension. 


Bishop. I suppose, however, that this system, which you think improved, and 
which you come here to teach us, is productive of better fruits than was the old, 
which your fathers rejected. ‘here is, 1 conclude, in America with you, more 
piety, more holiness, and more devotedness to God, than formerly, or than there 
4s with us ? 

Mr, W. We haveamong us many very pious and godly men; but I am sorry to 
say, that even where such great light shines, there is much moral darkness. 
Religion has not that hold on public sentiment that we could wish. Some have 
feared that sin and iniquity increasingly abound. 


Bishop. Are Christians in America united in religious sentiment ? 


Mr. W. It isa lamentable fact, that we have almost an infinite number of sects ; 
though our system has not hitherto produced unity, yet we hope that it will, and 
that Christians will become more united. 


Bishop. I suppose the festivals of the Church are observed with more care with 
you than with us? 


Mr. W. Festivals! Why, I know of no festivals except the Sabbath; that is 
too much neglected. I have heard talk of Christmas day, but the religious observ- 
ance of that is Popish: our people spend it in sports, of shooting, hunting, &c., 
otherwise I riever heard of Church festivals. I hope you do not symbolize with 
Rome, so much as to keep their holy days 2 


Bishop. May I ask in what estimation are the sacraments of the Church held ? 


Mr. W. Why, we do not believe in the Popish doctrine of the efficacy of sacra- 
ments, or of their necessity : as for baptism, it is well enough for the children of 
the elect to be baptized—we do not attach much importance to this—more than 
nine-tenths of our population die unhaptized: as for the Lord’s Supper, it is re- 
ceived by some as an Outward badge of Church membership, but it is not essential. 


Bishop. 1 wish I could converse longer: but from what I have heard, that you re- 
ject the authority of the four first Councils of the Church; have set up a new Church, 
independent of that which Christ established; that your system is attended with 
innumerable evils, dissensions, distractions, a neglect of the sacraments and fes- 
tivals of the Church, and that it does little to check vice and immorality; I think 
you had better had remained at home, and turned your thoughts to consider your 
own heresies, rather than to come all this distance, and to feel so much concern 
for the spiritual darkness of the Holy Catholic Greek Church, : 


13 


sia? We have some millions of blacks in our country who are really 
heathens ; we have on our continent and adjoining our borders some 
hundreds of thousands of savages. To these we might devote all our 
labors of Jove, and yet find much ground unoccupied. 

It cannot be admitted that it is our duty to go thus far away, unless 
it can first be proved that the members of the Church in this country 
are obliged to do all that is to be done of this foreign missionary work. 
Once admit that we can do but a part of it, and then it would seem to 
follow of necessity, that the part which is most practicable ought to be 
selected, and that certainly would be, the field nearest and most access- 
ible. But I cannot admit that, as members of the Church, we, here in 
these United States, have at present any thing to do with foreign mis- 
sions: because, by engaging in them, we violate the rule, the truth of 
which we think well established, that God never calls any to neglect 
one duty to discharge another. All the funds to extend the Church 
and kingdom of Christ which have been obtained, or which under any 
circumstances can be obtained, from members of our Church, are but a 
moiety of what could be most immediately and advantageously applied, 
to rescue from ignorance and spiritual death the millions in our own 
newly settled and destitute regions. We, as a Church, have not done 
our duty to these. Thousands who had been educated in the know- 
ledge of Christ, and in communion with his Church, have died without 
consolation, perhaps without hope, on account of our neglect in send- 
ing them the ministry of the word, and the bread of life. Our duty— 
our evident, palpable duty—has been awfully neglected. 

I wish to illustrate this, by stating particularly, that during the last 
year the sum of about fifty thousand dollars only was contributed to 
defray the expense of all our missionaries in the whole United States. 
Suppose our operations had been confined to the valley of the Missis- 
sippi alone; suppose this whole sum had been expended for the seven 
millions of persons residing there; would that be any thing like a proper 
discharge of our duty tothem? We have only sent here and there a 
missionary, whose wants have not been half supplied, and many of 
whom have returned sick and broken down, having wanted the com- 
forts of life. We have left some of our Bishops in that region, in 
want of means for their own comfortable support, and all of them 
almost wholly destitute of the ability to carry into effect their pious 
designs of establishing schools, seminaries, churches, and other mis- 
sionary stations.(0) 


(0) It is really worth while to consider the results which flow from the missionary 
operations of our Church, as at present conducted. One church in Charleston, S. C., 
determines, at its own cost, to sustain a missionary in China. The churches in 
Maryland and Virginia contribute largely to support the schools in Greece. In 
these very States there are hundreds of thousands of slaves, who do not know that 
they have souls, and it is felony to learn them to read! Some of our Bishops do 
not travel through their extensive Dioceses, because they have not the means to 
defray their expenses, and our Church sends a gentleman to travel in Persia, at an 
expense of ten thousand dollars! ‘Bishops Chase and Kemper cannot establish 
their Seminaries for want of means, and ten thousand a year has, for some years, 
been expended by our Church, to maintain persons in Batavia, to learn the Chinese 
language, and also to teach school. In this very city of Brooklyn, within two 
months, more than two thousand dollars (of which one hundred dollars was to pur- 
chase a set of silver communion plate for the mission in Africa) were sent for 
missionary purposes far away, and the church here belonging to the colored people, 
having been consecrated by the Bishop, which is in debt, in all about one thousand 


14 


This is the fact: The Bishops and missionaries have not been sus- 
tained, their wants have been neglected, and their opportunities of use- 
fulness cramped, for want of means. It was our evident duty to sup- 
ply these means to the extent of our ability, and this has been neglect- 
ed. During the same year there have been expended, under the 
authority of our Church, these various sums of money, for the sup- 
port of forty-four persons : 

In Greece, fourteen thousand dollars ; 

In China, four t1ousaud dollars ; 

To Agents, more than four thousand dollars, 

What the whole expense of the exploring missionary just returned 
from Persia is, I do not know; certainly nut much Jess than ten thou- 
sand dollars. Had all this been added to the fifty thousand dollars 
given to our Bishops and missionaries, then their wants would not have 
been one half supplied. I think, as a Church, we have neglected the 
greater to discharge what, it must be admitted by all, is a less import- 
ant duty. To do this, I cannot think God ever calls any. 

As to the lawfulness of our missions, so called, in Greece and to the 
Greeks in Constantinople, I think every consistent Episcopalian can 
have but one opinion. If the authorities of the Greek Church had 
solicited the aid of the Church in this country, then, if that aid could 
have been given consistently with the full discharge of duties at home, it 
ought to have been given. It does, however, not appear that the Greek 
Church has ever desired our aid.(p) We have, in opposition to her 
remonstrances, (in some instances certainly,) thrust in upon her per- 
sons who here are called missionaries, and there school teachers. I 
cannot think that he who established his Church, can call the members 
of one branch of it, thus to interfere and strive to break the unity of a 
sister branch. As well might the Church of England send missiona- 
ries to reform the Church in the United States. 

Having been thus established in error, and continued through want 
of inquiry and proper reflection, the results which have attended this 
foreign missionary enterprise of our Church have been such as might 
have reasonably been expected. In China, nothing has been effected. 
In Persia, we have yet to learn from our exploring missionary’s jour- 
nal, whether any thing has been, or can be, done. In Greece, as mis- 





eight hundred dollars, was sold by the Sheriff the very same week this money was 
collected, for two hundred and sixty-two dollars. ‘This enumeration might be 
much extended. The Church in Rhode-Island has conducted its missionary opera- 
tions with the most judgment and prudence, and of course, with the most success. 
Long after the writer was admitted to orders, by the truly excellent Bishop Gris- 
wold, there were but three congregations in the State. By employing laborers in 
the destitute parts, and by applying the contributions of the pious almost exclu- 
sively to this object, the number of officiating clergymen is now sixteen in that 
small State. Large and flourishing congregations have been collected where the 
Church was, a few years since, unknown. Here is a commendable example for 
others. 


(p) It is greatly to be desired, that the Bishops of our Church would immediately 
open a correspondence with the Patriarch of Constantinople, (which might easily 
be done through our Charge there,) and ascertain whether the continuance of 
the schools in Greece, and the establishment of another ‘‘ mission” at the city of 
Constantinople, be desired by him; if not, the one should be abandoned, and the 
persons employed recalled, that they may enter upon more important duties at 
home. The idea of establishing the other should then be given up. 


15 


sionaries, our agents have not acted at all. As school teachers, a great 
desire to obtain a knowledge of the English language having prevailed, 
they have had some considerable success. 

In conclusion, my bearers, for my own part I have no doubt, but that 
the establishment and maintenance of Kenyon College in Ohio, has 
done more to advance the cause of Christ and his Church in the world, 
than all the foreign missionary efforts which have ever been made by 
our Chureh, though these have cost ten times as much as the other. 
It is, to aid the venerable founder of that Institution, to establish 
another of like kind, in the midst of what is now a wilderness, but 
which will soon be occupied by thousands and tens of thousands of 
those who go out from among us, that your contributions are solicited. 
He has been laboring seven years to obtain means to pay for lands on 
which to erect his buildings, and to support his College ; during this 
time, our Church has sent some thousands of dollars more than his 
need requires, to enable two or three persons to study the Chinese 
language in Batavia! and teach thirty children the English language! 
under an idea, that at some future time, they and their pupils can be 
permitted to preach the Gospel in China, from which they are at pre- 
sent more than two thousand miles distant. Had the amount which 
this experiment has cost, been placed at the disposal of Bishop Chase, 
“ the wilderness and the solitary place would have been glad.” Let us 
then, on this occasion, contribute our mite, and if it be only like that 
of the widow, it will show our approbation of his work, and our desire 
of its success. 


END OF THE DISCOURSE. 








To the Editor of the Brooklyn Advocate : 

Sir :—I am truly grateful to you and the Editor of the Long Island 
Star, for your christianlike and gentlemanly notice of the Sermon lately 
put forth by me on “ Missionary Fanaticism as opposed to Christian 
Zeal.” I wish all who either write or speak on this subject, would, as 
you both have done, confine their observations to the matter of the ser- 
mon itself, I have been openly, to my face, accused by an officer of 
one of our great American Societies, engaged largely in foreign opera- 
tions, with being an abettor of the doctrines of Thomas Paine, and as 
a suitable associate with his followers. I have been accused of favoring 
Popery in the sermon. A reverend brother, a member of the Foreign 
Committee, has, I understand, before a Brooklyn audience, indirectly 
held me up as an unbeliever in revelation, and has expressed a desire 
for a public disputation with me on its evidences, though he has since 
confessed that he never hasread the sermon. The Evangelist, a sec- 
tarian newspaper, charges me with “ mental hallucination,” because I 
believe in the divine constitution of the Christian ministry as existing 
in the Catholic Church. A Clerical editor of a regiows newspaper 


16 


in Boston, says, that I affirm, I would rather the money sent to foreign 
lands to support Missionaries, should be expended on a Theatre in New 
York. Iam frequently represented as having in this sermon opposed 
all Missionaries. Such misrepresentations, and the exhibition of such 
temper, do me no injury, but they may do harm to those who indulge 
them, and who are so much in earnest to propagate among heathens 
that religion which forbids all “evil speaking.” I really wish the dis- 
cussion may be turned from me to the subject. If I have made any 
erroneous statement, if I have misinterpreted any text of Scripture, if 
I have erred in the conclusion to which I have arrived: viz. that it is 
not now the duty of Christians to send men and money to the amount 
of more than $300,000 annually, to far distant nations, while thousands 
upon thousands among and around us, are dying without hope and 
without knowledge ; let some one point out my error. Tam sure Il am 
willing to be convinced and to confess, if 1am wrong. Let none hurt 
their own souls by uncharitable censure, instead of striving to enlight- 
en the mistaken by sound argument. The first edition of the sermon 
is almost sold, and another will be shortly printed, which can be had at 
a cheaper rate for distribution. All I wish is, that persons would read 


before they condemn. 
Yours, with respect, 


EVAN M. JOHNSON. 
Brooklyn, March 27, 1839. 


PATS ARLES SION BD OE RII ID IEEE IIT TE KE RT IE TT CP TITLE TL FSP IS REST STE 





New York: Lows Sherman, at the Protestant Episcopal Press, 
; 142 Fulton - Street. 


